Readers already have a lot to add to today's column about the slots referendum.

You forgot one: YOU DISLIKE DEMOCRATS.  . . You're upset that Democrats killed slots six years ago because we had a Republican Governor. Since Maryland could have been reaping the effects of slots for almost a decade and the money would have been flowing into our state instead of neighboring states. . . . Because Democrats hate Republicans so much they would rather hurt Marylanders than have helped pass slots long ago. Now that the shoe is on the other foot, you will definitely play their game and vote against slots. I was born and raised in Baltimore. Except for my time in the military and at college, I have lived here all my life.  . . . I was a Democrat, Independent and now am a Republican. The Democrats continue, without thinking of Maryland first, to destroy this state. The only reason we have a billion dollar shortfall next year is because Governor O'Malley raised spending by two billion and taxes by the same. The taxes aren't coming in the way he planned, thus the shortfall. . . . I still love the Baltimore Sun, I have read it all my life. I receive it every day. Your definitely a better paper that the Examiner. I still love reading your articles even if we do disagree.
-- Joe Gutierrez

You forgot one argument and…I believe…a big one namely this:  People, including myself, voted for Bob Ehrlich when he ran against Kathleen Kennedy Townsend because he was pro Slots.  He won  and….the Democrats, when they saw that there wasn't enough in it for themselves monetarily and ... since they would NEVER vote for anything a Republican Governor proposed that might benefit the State, voted it down…..consistently.  Now that there is a Democratic Governor, still gutless to make the call themselves, our "beloved" elected officials put it in a referendum for the people to decide.  If it were passed during Mr. Ehrlich's' first year in office there would have been no need for the "Special Session" held to raise everyone's Taxes as the Slots monies would have been rolling in.  Because of this…I will be voting against Slots this time around as I do not want this charade to continue and…since I soon will be retiring and leaving this "Tax Hell" State those of you who remain can deal with the deficit this voting down of Slots will perpetuate.
-- Bill Zambiasi

This past weekend I was visiting family in Connecticut and read a very interesting article in the Sunday Hartford Courant. It was a thorough examination of  the decline of revenues at both the Foxwoods and Mohegan casinos. Foxwoods announced a 7% workforce reduction following a 3% reduction that had occurred earlier in the summer. (I may have the statistics wrong - please double check the article). . . . Those in the industry interviewed stated that the high growth of gambling revenues would NEVER return due to:
1. Decline in the economy - revenue projections were being vastly revised as business declined.
2. With increased gambling venues in PA, NY and now MASS considering allowing slots, CT would never realize the gains it once had. The article noted that with major new facilities being built in Philly in particular, they were expecting less business.
So - with this well-established gambling venue in a decline and projected even less business in the future, what are our state leaders doing to revise their estimates of how much revenue MD might experience IF gambling is legalized in MD?
I personally disagree with using gambling as a way to balance the state budget. It is a sad day when a state with one of the highest incomes in the nation as to resort to gambling to educate our children. Seems we have our priorities far in the wrong order.
As the state takes a serious look at budget cutting and revenue projections, it should take the time to examine the gambling industry and current experiences in other states as well. This may not be the golden egg we have been led to believe.
-- Missy

Just read your column this morning about slots. I agree with just
about every point you made -  however  -  I whole-heartedly disagree
with the concept of enshrining slot machine gambling in our state's
constitution. The fact that 54% of MD'ers support slots should be
enough to pass a bill. If the bill won't pass then we need to
reexamine the whole process of representative government if our
elected representatives will not do as we bid them. Or better yet, we
should oust them from their jobs and elect those who will do as the
people wish. . . . I am an equestrian and a former educator -  two things that will be
saved and helped through the cash infusion of slots but there has to
be a better way than an amendment.
-- Bryan Y. Fischer